Feed means for soldering apparatus



March 9, 1965 E. J. BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUS 7SheetsSheet 1 Original Filed May 9. 1960 INVENTOR EARL BURKE HISATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. .1. BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUSI 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 9. 1960 INVENTOR EARL J. BURKE MMad W,

H IS ATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. J. BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERINGAPPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 9, 1960 Hwh h H| EARL J.BURKE HI HH I IH I I I I I I I HIS ATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. J. BURKE3,172,705

FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUS Original Filed May 9. 1960 7Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR EARL J. BURKE H IS ATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. J.BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original FiledMay 9, 1960 III/I/IIIII.

fiwmmwwm WM H. H .HHHHHHHQ INVENTOR EARL J. BURKE can/Mag, w 3 4/ H ISATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. J. BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUS 7Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed May 9, 1960 INVENTOR EARL J. BURKE HISATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 E. J. BURKE FEED MEANS FOR SOLDERING APPARATUS 7Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed May 9, 1960 INVENTOR EARL J. BURKE hw QQMW WWWHHMHQ HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,172,705 FEED MEANS FORSOLDERING APPARATUS Earl J. Burke, Stamford, Vt., assignor to SpragueElectric Company, North Adams, Mass., a corporation of MassachusettsOriginal application May 9, 1960, Ser. No. 27,562. Divided and thisapplication Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 302-2) This is a division of application Serial No.27,562 filed May 9, 1960, now Patent No. 3,172,387, issued March 9,1965.

The present invention relates to a soldering apparatus for automaticallysoldering the ends of cylindrical articles. In particular, the inventionrelates to a soldering apparatus for soldering the ends of small rolledcapacitor sections which are commonly and extensively used in a greatvariety of electrical appliances such as radios, television sets, etc.

With the use of capacitor sections in electrical appliances, aconductive member such as a conductive wire or lead must first beaflixed through a solder connection to each end of the capacitorsection. Therefore, during the capacitor section manufacture, an amountof solder is applied to each end of the capacitor section to seal offthe ends of the capacitor section and to provide solder supports towhich the conductive members may be attached.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved soldering apparatus which automaticallly applies solder tothe end of cylindrical articles such as capacitor sections in afinished, professional manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a soldering apparatus ofthe above object wherein capacitor sections are rapidly processedthrough the soldering apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a solderingapparatus of the above objects wherein the capacitor sections areautomatically fed in progressive manner and in timed relationship to thesoldering stations.

Among other objects, a further object of the invention is to provide inthe soldering apparatus of the above objects, automatic capacitorsection discharge means for discharging the capacitor sections from theapparatus after the capacitor section ends have been soldered.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma study of the following description and drawings whereini FIG. 1 is aside view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top view in detail of the connection between the supplyhopper and the feed chute;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation in detail of the connection between thesupply hopper and the feed chute as seen in the direction of the arrowsin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the feeding means for automatically feeding thecapacitors toward the soldering station;

FIG. 6 is an elevation of the feeding means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6A is a section taken along lines 6A6A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section showing in detail the air line in thefeeding means;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal elevation of the air line of the feeding meansin one stage of operation;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal elevation of the air line of the feed means atanother stage in the operation;

FIG. 10 is an end View of the conveying means for conveying thecapacitor sections to, through, and beyond the soldering stations;

FIG. 10A is an elevation of a portion of the conveyor of FIG. 10 showinga bearing detail;

FIG. 11 is a side view partially in section of the conveyor of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11A is a partial side view partially in section of the conveyor ofFIG. 10 showing a different position from FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the end of the feeding means, the conveyor,and the soldering wheels;

FIG. 13 is a detail of the means for controlling the lateral movement ofthe soldering stations.

Briefly, the soldering apparatus comprises a Vibratory supply hopperinto which the capacitor sections are initially loaded and from whichthey are fed in progressive manner toward the main body of the solderingapparatus secured to a table frame. A vibratory rail which supports afeed tube is secured to the table frame. The tube receives the capacitorsections from the supply hopper and passes them toward a turret wheelconveyor for the capacitor sections, which conveyor is also supported bythe table frame. Preferably, although not essential, means are providedin connection with the feed tube for propelling the capacitor sectionsin timed relationship to a turret wheel. A series of ferrules extendthrough the turret wheel around the peripheral portion of the wheelprogressively receiving the capacitor sec.- tion propelled from the tubeas the wheel rotates. A pair of spaced apart and opposed solder applyingdiscs are rotatably supported adjacent the turret wheel in such a mannerthat the peripheral portion of the turret wheel which houses theferrules passes between the disc peripheries so that the ends of thecapacitor sections housed in the ferrules will contact the peripheriesof the soldering discs as the wheel rotates therebetween. Air expulsionmeans directed toward the path of travel assumed by the ferrules housedin the turret wheel conveyor eXpels the capacitor sections from theferrules after solder has been applied to the capacitor section ends.

The capacitor sections are fed into the conveying turret wheel under theaction of pneumatic means. The sections are introduced into ferrules inthe turret wheel one at a time and timed to the rotation of the wheel soas to avoid jamming of the sections together or missing a ferrule.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, atable frame T is provided for supporting the various cooperating membersand elements of the apparatus. The cylindrical articles such ascapacitor sections 8 (see FIG. 11) are initially loaded into a vibratorysupply hopper 1. A seen more clearly in FIG. 2, an ascending spiralledge 3 is provided along the interior wall of the hopper 1. As thehopper 1 is vibrated, the capacitor sections 2 gradually work themselvesup the spiral ledge 3 to the top of the hopper to a point indicated byarrow 5 in FIG. 3. Since the vibratory hopper is a commercial item andforms no part of the present invention except in combination with theother elements of the apparatus, the specific make-up of the hopper hasnot been shown. Any suitable commercial vibratory hopper such as thatcommercially sold by the Syntron Company of Homer City, Pennsylvania,and known as Model C may be used to provide the proper vibratory motionto the hopper 1. From point 5 of the hopper 1, the capacitor sections 2pass to a rail 8 which supports a feed tube 9 and which is shown moreclearly in FIGS. 6 and 6A of the drawings.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the rail 8 is supported by spring stripmountings 11 secured to the table frame T. The rail 8 shown is ofL-shape and is supported so that one leg of the L extends outwardly andthe other extends upwardly. However, it may take other forms such a V-shaped rail. A section of tubing, preferably of a plastic nature, issupported by the rail 8. The feed tube 9 is preferably formed of a clearplastic material so that the progress of the capacitor sections passingthrough the tube may be observed.

The connection between the hopper 1 and the tube 9 is shown at point Ain the plan view of FIG. 3 and the side view of FIG. 4. As seen in FIG.3, this junction is adjacent to the end of the spiral ledge 3 indicatedby the arrow 5, as mentioned above. The sections move across the ledge 3and into the tube 9. This movement is automatic as provided by theproper vibratory motion. This vibratory motion is transmitted to thetube 9 so as to continue the progressive advancement of the sections 2through the tube 9 and away from the supply hopper 1. In this manner,the sections 2 are fed down the tube 9 to the point where the pneumaticfeeding carries them further, as described in greater detail below.

The joint at A is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. The hopper 1 isshown in contact with a bumper 14. The bumper 14 is attached to the rail8 by a bracket 10. As seen in the plan view of FIG. 3, the bumper 14 hasa resilient face 13 which comes into contact with the hopper 1 at theend of the spiral ledge 3. In the side elevation of FIG. 4, thepositioning of the bumper 14 beneath the rail 8 shows the relationshipbetween the parts. A space is provided between the end of the spiralledge 3 and the end of the tube 9. This space indicated at B issubstantially less than the axial length of the shortest section 2 to befed across the connection. Referring again to FIG. 3, the hopper 1 isprovided with a guide plate 12. The guide plate 12 is clamped to theupright side of the hopper 1 and is a long leaf of a resilient material.A set screw 16 positioned in the side of the hopper 1 bears adjustablyagainst the guide plate 12 to vary its lateral position across the endof the spiral ledge 3 and the adjacent opening of the tube 9. Thesections 2 shown on the ledge 3 are thus adjustably positioned withrespect to the centerline of the adjacent tube 9 in their travel acrossthe opening B in the connection A. An inner plate 12A is attached to theledge 3. The plate 12A conforms to the curvature of the wall of thehopper 1 but only at the end removed from the opening B. At the endadjacent to the opening B, the plate 12A forms a tangent to the curve ofthe hopper wall. The plate 12A acts as a deflector to remove the excesssections 2 in the movement of the sections 2 toward the joint betweenhopper 1 and tube 9. The section which are piled up on top of thesections destined to feed into the tube 9 topple over the upper edge ofthe plate 12A and fall back into the hopper 1. It is noted that thebumper 14 is axially movable in the bracket 10. This permits adjustmentof the pressure applied to the rail 8 through the bumper 14. As the rail8 is supported by the spring strip mountings 11, the throw of the rail 8by the vibrations of the hopper 1 will be influenced by the degree ofdeflection of the mountings 11 created through the adjustment of theaxial positioning of bumper 14 in the bracket 10. A threaded clamp 15 isprovided for holding the end of the tube 9 in the bracket 10. Vibratorymotion in the rail 8 transmitted from the hopper 1 advances the sections2 along the tube 9.

As seen in FIGS. and 6, an air line 19 is connected in communicatingrelationship with the tube 9 at or adjacent to the discharge end of thetube, the purpose of which is explained below.

As mentioned above, the sections 2 are preferably advanced toward thesoldering stations in timed relationship by a timing assembly. Suchtiming assembly, however, is not necessarily essential for thesuccessful operation of the invention. This timing assembly generallyindicated as 20 in FIG. 5 generally consists of a main air supply 23partially housed in support block 25 and through which air iscontinuously passed to be alternately discharged into the atmospherefrom the discharge end 27 of the main supply line 23 and into the airline 19 through a connection 31 formed within the block and which opensinto the main supply line 23 at a point prior to the discharge end 27 ofthe line 23.

In one form of regulating the pneumatic advancing means, the air isintermittently blown through the air line 19. A means for creating thisintermittent blasting of air through line 19 is illustrated in FIGS. 5and 6. In FIG. 5 the air is alternately channeled from the main supplyline 23 through the connection 31 and air line 19 by a blade wheel 34which is supported upon a rotatable shaft 37. FIG. 1 shows theshaft 37journalled to the frame T. The shaft 37 is turned by a chain 6 whichengages sprocket S on the shaft 37. The chain 6 is driven by the motorM. As seen in the plan view of FIG. 2, the sprocket 3 turns on ahorizontal axis which is the shaft 37. The air control means illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6 is not shown in FIG. 2. The blade wheel 34 is mountedon the shaft 37 between the sprocket S and other gearing described ingreater detail below in connection with FIG. 2. Referring again to FIG.6, the wheel 34 has radially extending, spaced apart blades 39 and, asshown in FIG. 5, the blade wheel 34 is so mounted that the blades passthrough the block 25 and the main supply line 23 to periodically cut offthe main 'air supply line 23 at a point beyond the air line connection31 whereby amounts of air are periodically shunted into the air line 19.The air under pressure enters the tube 9 on the track 8 giving theleading section 2 a push which rapidly propels the section toward aturret wheel 41 which receives the section in a ferrule 47 and conveysit to a soldering station.

A preferred means for controlling the timing of the feed of sections 2to the revolution of the ferrules 47 is described. Referring first toFIG. 2, the tube 9 extends from the hopper 1 to the turret wheel 41 andcarries the sections 2 in their transfer from the hopper 1 to the turretwheel 41. The sections 2 to be processed in this apparatus exhibit awide variety of physical characteristics. They vary in shape, both inlength and girth, in weight and in softness. In turn, thesecharacteristics vary the friction between the sections and the innersurface of the tube 9 and also the volume of the internal bore of tube 9occupied by the sections. The sections are moved through the tube 9 by acombination of forces. The one force that initially feeds the sections 2into the tube 9 is the vibratory shaking of the sections 2 derived fromthe motion of the hopper 1. The other force is air pressure or suctionexerted on the sections 2 while within the tube 9. The air pressure isapplied to the sections 2 from the connection A of the tube 9 (see FIG.3) at the hopper 1, through the air line 19 (see FIG. 7) and alsothrough apertures 151 formed in the tube 9 adjacent a punction C of theair line 19 with the tube 9 (see FIG. 8).

The sections are moved into the turret Wheel 41 so that the ferrules 47can receive the sections from the tube 9 individually and successivelywithout an interruption which could cause one of the ferrules 47 to passempty to the soldering station. It is the purpose of the movement thusto provide the sections so that they will be regularly presented to theturret wheel 41 and so that any interruption of this regularpresentation will be avoided. As pointed out above, a general movementof the sections 2 is provided by the vibration of the tube 9. Inaddition, the pneumatic advancement of the sections is effected by meansof the air stream which is supplied through the. tube 19. These combinedmeans of movement must result in a continuous feed which is free ofclogging or jamming. It must be rapid and so arranged as to continuallypresent a section 2 to the turret wheel 41 at the phase in the rotationof the wheel 41 during which an empty ferrule 47 is presented to the endof the tube 9.

The pneumatic advancement of the sections 2 acts upon the sections 2 bya balance of the various factors providing air pressure on the sections.These factors are the cross-sectional area of the feeder tube 19, thearea of the apertures 151, the velocity of the air and the angle offorced introduction of the air into the feeder tube as well as therelative proportions of the individual sections. As a result of thisbalance there is provided an effective, section-moving pneumatic actionat the end of the tube 9 adjacent the turret wheel 41. This pneumaticaction acts upon the sections 2 and operates on the sections 2 eitherone at a time or on more of the sections 2 at one time. It acts upon thesections 2 to move them into position for reception by an empty ferrule47. For example, the air which is forced from the air line 19 into thetube 9 blows out through the end of the tube 9 and thus exerts apressure on a section 2 sitting in the end of the tube 9 so that thesection 2 may be moved into the ferrule 47 brought up with the motion ofthe wheel 41.

In FIG. 7 the air line 19 and its joint C with the tube 9 are shown injuxtaposition with the turret wheel 41. The air line 19 makes the jointC with the tube 9 at an acute angle 0 so that the forced air stream isdirected into the feeder tube 9 toward the open end. This directed angleof the air line 19 and its introduced air stream may be varied to adjustthe balance of factors which provide air pressure on the sections. Thisdirected angle determines the division of the forced air stream as itenters the feeder tube 9. The smaller the angle 6 of FIG. 7, the greaterwill be the proportion of the forced air stream directed through theopen end of the feeder tube 9 and the less will be the proportion of theforced air stream which turns up the tube toward the apertures 151.Conversely, increasing the angle 6 increases the proportion of forcedair stream moving away from the open end of the tube 9. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the angle 6 also influences the flowof air into the tube 9 through the apertures 151 during the intake ofair into the air line 19.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tube 9, according to one form of this invention,is provided with the apertures 151. With this form of section conduitthe pneumatic action provides a seizing action which interrupts thetravel of the sections 2 through the tube 9 and causes them to be movedto the turret wheel 41 in two stages. As pointed out above, thepneumatic action can act on one section at a time or on more than onesection at a time. In either case, the sections 2 are moved down to theapertures 151 where they remain until the seizing action operates on oneor more of the sections. At this point the sections are held fromfurther advance toward the open end of the tube 41. The seizure iseffected by the passage of air within the tube 9. Air is introduced intothe tube 9 through the air line 19 to propel a section from the. end ofthe tube toward or into the turret wheel 41.

For a description of the pneumatic action, reference is first made toFIG. 5. The blade wheel 34 is shown for intermittent interruption of theair which is introduced from the main line 23. When a blade 39 blocksthe discharge end 27 the air is blown through the air line 19 to providethe air pressure mentioned above. This has an effect on the apparatus asshown in FIG. 7 of blowing from air line 19 into the tube 9 and outthrough the end of the tube 9 adjacent the turret wheel 41. A smallportion of the forced air stream escapes through apertures 151. When theblade wheel 34 has no blades 39 blocking the discharge end 27, the airfrom the line 23 blows out through the discharge end 27 and does notblow down the air line 19. Rather a venturi 28 provided in the blockcauses a reduced pressure at the, connection 31 when the air is blowingdirectly out through the discharge end 27. This venturi sucks air backup tube 19 into the block 25 and thus reverses the air flow through airline 19 during this phase of the pneumatic action.

Referring to FIG. 7 the reverse flow of air in the air line 19 is drawnfrom the tube 9 through the open end of the tube and in lesserproportion through the apertures 151. Thus the air flows first one wayand then another through the air line 19 by a transpiration out and anintake in the open end of the tube 9.

The row of apertures 151 provides a kick-off point for the sections 2 intheir travel down the tube 9 to the turret wheel 41. This kicloolf pointis the point at which the pneumatic action arrests the vibratory motionof the sections 2 and the point from which the pneumatic action movesthe sections for presentation to the turret wheel 41. The transpirationphase blows a section from the tube 9 into an awaiting ferrule 47 andalso during the transpiration phase of the pneumatic cycle the nextsucceeding section or sections are moved from the kick-off point atapertures 151 up to the end of the tube 9. During the intake phase ofthe pneumatic cycle the sections 2 are held stationary in the tube 9including those sections which have reached the kick-oif point. As aresult, the sections 2 are held at the kick-off point and at the end ofthe tube wherever they are located at the inception of the intake phase.The intake of air through apertures 151 is adjusted by the balance offactors so that it leaves the next succeeding section at the kick-offpoint undisturbed.

Referring to the successive movement of the sections 2 as illustrated inFIGS. 7-9, FIG. 7 shows an axial sectional view of the tube 9 in whichthree capacitor sections 2 are identified as X, Y and Z and are pointsof relative advancement toward the turret wheel 41. The section X isready for moving into the ferrule 47 of the turret wheel 41. The sectionY is held at the kick-off point of apertures 151 and Z has not yetreached the kick-off point. When air is injected into the tube 9 fromthe air line 19 during the transpiration phase, the section X whichblocks the end of tube 9 partially closes the end of the tube 9 andcauses back pressure within the tube 9. This back pressure escapesthrough the apertures 151 and serves to create a back pressure withinthe tube 9 up to the point of the row of apertures but not further upthe tube than these apertures.

When the turret wheel 41 rotates to place an empty ferrule 47 at the endof the tube 9, the section X moves from its blocking position in the endof tube 9. While this is taking place the discharge end 27 is, ofcourse, blocked by a blade 39 to provide the current of air through theline 19 for the transpiration phase. With the removal of section X fromthe end of the tube 9, the section Y is moved up to the end of the tube9 as shown in FIG. 8. The transpiration phase closes with the section Ymoved up to the end of tube 9 and the section Z moved into the kick-offpoint. The section Z is held at the kickoff point by the back pressurein the forced current of air caused by the section Y blocking the end ofthe tube 9. Referring to FIG. 5, the turret wheel 34 rotates to permitthe discharge of air through the discharge end 27 and creates the intakephase of the pneumatic cycle. The intake of air through the apertures151 and the end of the tube 9 as balanced to maintain the action Z atthe kickoff point are shown in FIG. 8. In this balance so little air isdrawn in through the apertures 151 that it leaves the section Z at thekic. -otf point. It will be understood that this balance is influencedby the angle 0 at which the air line 19 is joined to the feeder tube 9.In this condition sections Y and Z await the rotation of turret Wheel 41and the approach of the next succeeding empty ferrule 47. As the ferrule47 approaches the tube 9 end, the transpiration phase sets in by theblocking of the discharge end 27 with the next succeeding blade 39 asdescribed above. During this next transpiration phase the section Y ismoved into the next succeeding ferrule 47 and the section Z moves intothe end of the tube 9 as shown in FIG. 9.

The sections are moved up under pneumatic action either one at a time orin a group from a point which has been referred to as the kick-offpoint. The kick-off point is the point at which the pneumatic action ofthe air pressure within the tube 9 takes hold of the sections and movesthem torward the turret wheel 41. It is important that, in thesynchronized action of the apparatus of this invention, the seizing ofthe sections not occur until the end of the tube is ready to receive thesections thus delivered. At the same time, it is important that they bemoved against the turret wheel 41 as soon as the end of the tube 9 isavailable to receive the individual section. Accordingly, by moving thesection to the end of the tube 9, after the preceding section has beentaken up by the preceding ferrule 47, each section is presented at thetube 9 end at the earliest possible interval. The variety of sections 2and the elfect of this variation on the operation of the feed devicemakes necessary a feed means which allows an adaptability in the seizureand advancement of the sections. An automatic adjustment of the kick-offpoint will permit adaptation of a single feed means to sections ofvarying characteristics. In this way, the more sluggish sections can befed to the ferrules 47 with the same alacrity as the more mobilesections. At the same time, the sections advancing down the tube 9 underthe vibratory action are not subjected to excessive pressure ordistortion.

In FIG. 7, the presence of section X between the apertures 151 and theend of the tube creates a back pressure which will retain capacitorsection Y at the sick-off point. The ferrule 47 for section X is seen atthe end of tube 9. The section Y is advanced ready for delivery to theturret wheel 41 before the next ferrule 47 arrives as shown in FIG. 8.This insures positive blocking of the open end of tube 9 to retainsection Z at the kick-01f point and also insures the reception of thesection Y in the ferrule without crushing. It has been found helpful,but not necessary, to provide a hesitation in the turret wheel advanceat the instant of positioning the capacitor sections 2 in theirrespective ferrules 4-7.

In FIG. 8, the section Y is shown in the position of section X in FIG.7. Meanwhile, section Z has assumed the position of section Y in FIG. 7.The advanced section Y now blocks the opening of the tube 9 and causes areversal of the air flow back through the apertures 151. This serves tohold up the next succeeding section Z as the advanced section Y hadpreviously been held up by its respective preceding section X. Thus, itis seen that the sections 2 may be fed one at a time from the kick-offpoint at the apertures 151. The sections 2 may be successivelypositioned in the end of the tube 9, ready and waiting for theirrespective ferrules 47. It will be understood that the sections 2 may bemoved in groups as well as individually.

The type of movement through the tube 9 which is desired of the sections2 falls into two general categories. The first is the general movementof the sections 2 down the tube 9 from the hopper 1. The second is themore specific movement of the sections 2 from the tube 9 into theferrules 47 positioned around the wheel 41. The purpose of the firstmovement is simply to place the sections 2 individually and successivelyat a point where the second movement will deliver them to the turretwheel 41 in timed relationship to the ferrule revolution. The speed ofoperation attainable with this device requires that this feed with itstwo phases be continuous and free of clogging or jamming which wouldcause an interruption in the feed of the sections 2 and the soldering ofthe sections 2. At the same time, the constant positioning of thesections 2 must be rapid and in synchronisrn with the revolution of theferrules 47 past the end of the tube 9.

The section loading position on the turret wheel 41,

that is, the point at which the ferrules 47 of the turret wheel 41progressively receive the sections 2 being propelled from the tube 9, isindicated generally at point 50 in FIG. 11. It is at this point 50 inthe path of rotation of the turret wheel 41 that the ferrules 47 receivethe sections 2. To prevent the sections from passing through and beyondthe ferrule 47 as they are propelled into the ferrules, a back stopplate 51 is mounted as shown in FIG. ll of the drawing to lieimmediately adjacent that face of the turret wheel 41 opposite thesection feed side of the turret wheel 4-1.

The sections are expelled from the ferrules at a point 53 in the path ofthe section of the turret Wheel 41 (see FIG. 10) after the section endshave been soldered and moved beyond the soldering station. An air blastline 55 is supported immediately adjacent point 53 as shown in FIG. 11of the drawing. A continuous stream of air passes through the line 55and as the section'loaded ferrule 47 approaches point 53, the airstrikes the section to urge or expel it from the ferrule 47. A chute 57catches the ferrules as they are discharged and conveys them to asuitable collecting unit (not shown).

in operation, first referring to FIG. 3, the sections 2 travel inprogressive manner from the vibratory supply feed hopper 1 into the feedtube 9 supported upon the feed track 8. Vibratory motion is transferredto the spring-mounted feed tracl: 8 through a resilient bumper 14secured to the end of the track 8 and which lies in contact with thesupply hopper 1.

The sections 2 pass from the hopper 1 into the feed tube 9 as describedabove. In the feed tube 9 the virbratory action advances the sections 2down the tube 9 to the kick-cit point shown in FIG. 7. The furthermovement of any particular section 2 depends upon the conditions furtherdown the tube. in accordance with the operation of the pneumatic actiondescribed above, the section 2 is held at the kick-off point for itsrespective advancement into its respective ferrule 47. The sections arethus progressively propelled in a timed manner into the turret wheel 41.

The above described apparatus and method are illustrative of theinvention. Additions and modifications may be made. For example, aphotocell may be employed to stop the vibration of the hopper. Thephotocell control is attached at the tube 9 to be actuated by thepassage of sections through the tube 9. The tube 9 is translucent in thearea opposite the photocell. In the photocell attachment, a beam isprojected across the tube 9 at the apertures 151. The photocell, whenactuated by a section remaining in the zone of the apertures 151, willturn off the vibratory hopper 1. As mentioned in connection with FIGS.7-9, the delivery of the air from the pneumatic means into the ejectionend of the tube 9 can be projected at various angles less than ninetydegrees but preferably is not directed vertically into the feed tube ata ninety degree angle. Further, it is noted that the application ofsolder as described in the above embodiment shows simultaneousapplication to both end of a capacitor section. This is the preferredmethod for the conventional capacitor section. However, it will beunderstood that single ended soldering of one end at a time is possiblewith this invention. The adaptability of this machine to soldering oneend at a time is an advantageous feature.

The means for passing the capacitor sections across the solder applyingdiscs has been illustrated by the preferred embodiment in a turret wheelcarrying ferruels. It will be understood that any device that will takethe section into the area between the solder discs and take it out againwithout crossing the centerline will be satisfactory. For example, achain device may carry the capacitor sections; and, further, thecapacitor sections may be moved into and out of contact with thesoldering discs by a reciprocating motion so that the invention is notlimited to a one-direction continuous motion in the movement of thecapacitor sections across the solder discs.

Another feature of this invention is found in the flexibil ity of thefeed characteristics of the stationary feed means. The feed tube is alsofixed in position and does not have to shift to match the variation ofthe various sections in the turret wheel. The variations in capacitorsections can be taken care of by adjustments of the solder wheel and therate of rotation of the turret wheel and other adjustments in connectionwith the soldering.

It will be understood that the gating means for producing theintermittent air flow described above, particularly in connection withFIGS. 7-9, may be modified without stopping the pneumatic actionentirely. As long as the apertures are provided in the feed tube at apoint more removed from the end of the tube than the joint with the airline, there will be a kick-cit point. However, the reversal of air flowthrough the apertures is highly advantageous in feeding capacitorsections to the turret wheel. One of the purposes of these apertures isto allow the air in the feed tube to escape during that period when asection blocks the tube end in awaiting for the next empty ferrule. Theair flow reversal occurs when the gating action causes an intake of airrather than an exhalation of air. As pointed out above, the intake ofair through the apertures in this phase is preferably adjusted so thatit is just enough to allow the next succeeding sections at the kick-offpoint to remain stationary. The advantage of this feeding means lies inthe fact that the sections are handled carefully. Some sections haveextended foi margins which would be deformed by undue pressure againstthe turret wheel. The escape of air through the apertures relative suchpressure so that there will not be a jamming of the section against theturret wheel; and, when the shutter valve is open, there is an intake atthe end of tube 9 which sucks the section 2 away from the turret wheel.

It is a further feature of this invention that a great variety ofconvolutely wound capacitor sections can be processed according to theprinciples of this invention and satisfactorily soldered. Also, extendedfoil sections are particularly well handled by this invention. Thesoldering that is effected is better than by hand.

From the above description, it is obvious that a new and novel solderingapparatus for soldering the ends of cylindrical objects such ascapacitors has been invented. The prior time-consuming and expensivehand soldering methods can now be done away with in View of theabovedescribed apparatus. Approximately 5,000 capacitors may beprocessed per hour with the above-described apparatus.

Obviously, may modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. Feed means for advancing articles from a supply to a work stationcomprising a vibrating supply of articles, a feed tube vibrated by saidsupply to receive articles from said supply in single file, fluidpropulsion means joined to said feed tube at an acute angle, gatingmeans regulating fluid flow through said fluid supply means in timedrelation to said work station, control means in said feed tube adjacentthe entry of said fiuid propulsion means, whereby said articles areadvanced singly from said entry point to said work station.

2. Feeding means for feeding cylindrical articles from a supply in timedsequence to a conveying means which comprises a vibrating supply ofarticles, a tubular conduit vibrated by said vibrating supply andreceiving articles from said supply one at a time whereby said articlesare fed into said tubular conduit and along said conduit by saidvibration, said conveying means positioned at the opposite end of saidconduit from said vibratory supply, means in said conveying means forcarrying individual articles, and air ejection means for expelling saidarticles in sequence from said end of said conduit adjacent saidconveying means, said air means comprising a supply of air underpressure, gating means between said air supply and said conveying meanspulsing air from said air supply, a Y-point connecting said air supplyinto said tubular conduit at a point adjacent to but removed from saidend of said conduit at said conveying means, a plurality of apertures inthe wall of said conduit extending from said Y-point in line along saidconduit in the direction away from said conveying means end.

3. A feeding means for feeding articles from a supply to a conveyingmeans comprising a pneumatic means for advancing articles, a vibratingsupply of articles, a tubular conduit receiving articles from saidvibrating supply and oscillated by said vibrating supply, a Y-pointconnecting said conduit to said pneumatic means, an end of said conduitadjacent to but not in contact with a conveying means aligned ports insaid conduit extending from said Y-point toward said vibrating supply,carrying members on said conveying means for receiving articlesindividually and successively from said conduit end, gating in saidpneumatic means for providing intermittent blasts of gas through saidpneumatic means to said conduit so timed as to successively act uponarticles fed down said conduit and eject individual articles from saidconduit end adjacent said conveying means and into said carrying memberson said conveying means in timed relation to movement of said conveyingmeans.

References (Jited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,900,138 8/59Strate 30256 2,988,402 6/61 Policansky 302-2 2,993,737 7/61 Stephen 30223,031,060 4/62 Philippovic 198-331 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Examiner.

1. FEED MEANS FOR ADVANCING ARTICLES FROM A SUPPLY TO A WORK STATIONCOMPRISING A VIBRATING SUPPLY OF ARTICLES, A FEED TUBE VIBRATED BY SAIDSUPPLY TO RECEIVE ARTICLES FROM SAID SUPPLY IN SINGLE FILE, FLUIDPROPULSION MEANS JOINED TO SAID FEED TUBE AT AN ACUTE ANGLE, GATINGMEANS REGULATING FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID FLUID SUPPLY MEANS IN TIMEDRELATION TO SAID WORK STATION, CONTROL MEANS IN SAID FEED TUBE ADJACENTTHE ENTRY OF SAID FLUID PROPULSIOON MEANS, WHEREBY SAID ARTICLES AREADVANCED SINGLY FROM SAID ENTRY POINT TO SAID WORK STATION.